Improvement in post-office letter-stamping apparatus



. h 2 Sheets--Sheet i.- T. C. HARG RAVE. Improvement in Post Office Letter Stamping Apparatus.

Patented Nov. 21,1871.

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Mmas'sea T. C. HARGRAVE.

2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

Patented Nov. 21,1871.

Improvement in Post Oflice Letg r Stamping Apparatus.

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I Vl z'tness es To all whom it may concern:

THOMAS C. HARGRAVE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN POST-OFFICE LETTER-STAMPING APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,099, dated November 21, 1871.

Be it'known that I, THOMAS C. HARGRAV'E, of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented certain-Improvements in Post-Marking and Stamp-Canceling Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a side elevation of my machine with the crank-wheel in dotted lines. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section on line y y of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-' section through the line 00 00 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a top view of the machine. Fig. 5 is a view of the printing-wheel detached. Fig. 6 is .a view of the washer detached.

In the said drawing A represents a frame, the main face of which is constructed at right angles with the base. Thebearings a c support a drivingshaft, b,-,0n which is the crankwheel B. A main shaft, G traverses the crankshaft 12, and has its bearings at g g. These shafts b and G are connected by the beveled cogged gear-wheels c and C. To the main shaft G is attached the spurred gear-wheel c, which works into a spurred gear-wheel, 0, connected to the end of the shaft 1?, whichhas its bearings in a vibrating arm, S, hinged to the frame A at t by the bolt-t. To the other end of the shaft P is attached a plain impressionroller, F. The forked end of the arm S, which fits over the'projection W of the frame A, serves to keep the arm in proper position, while the coiled spring S serves, by means of the vibrating arm Sfto automatically adjust the space between the impressionroller F and the printing-roller F, in order to accommodate packages of different thicknesses, Ari adjusting-screw, c, is inserted in the bar S, and, hearing against the frame A, allows the regulation of the space between the rollers F and F. To the upper end of the main shaft G is attached the printing cylinder F. made of any suitable material, its diameter being in proportion to the number of post-marks, and their distance apart, upon its periphery. Its thickness is determined by the depth of the cancellation re quired upon the letter or package designed to be postmarked.

The name of the place and State are engraved on the periphery of the cylinder F the desired number of times, equidistant. At each of these post-marks the cylinder F is recessed to admit of the introduction of movable type, showing the date required for the post-mark. These type, 0, are held in position by means of the plates f, which lie over them, and which are pressed down by the washer R secured by the nut H to "the end of the shaft G. The washer R is formed, as shown at Fig. 6, with four bearing points or arms, each point resting upon one of the plates f. This peculiar shape of the washer is for the purpose of obviating the removal of thenut H when it is desired to change the type. The nut being loosened, onequarter turn of the washer relieves the plates f of all pressure, when they can be expeditiously removed and the type changed.

The entire surface of the periphery of the printing-cylinder F not occupied by the postmarks is permanently engraved with any suitable canceling lines, and is supplied with ink from a fountain by a distributing-roller, K, attached to the machine in any convenient manner.

The impression-cylinder F should be covered with cloth or rubber, as is usual in printing-machinery. Immediately beneath the cylinders F and F runs an endless band, E, passing over the rollers I and I, having bearings in arms N N, attached to the ends of the frame A. The band receives its motion from the roller I, which is actuated and turned by the shaft 1) through the cogged gearing O, D, and D, and it serves as a carrier to pass the mail matter between the cylinders F and F.

The guide-boards a9 00, attached to the upper part of the frame, assist the operator in passing the packages between the cylinders for postmarking and cancellation.

It is obvious that instead of the endless band E, which feeds forward the letters, an inclined plane could be used, down which the letters would pass by the force of gravity.

Having thus described my invention, what I bination with the movable types 0, plates f, and claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters armed washer R, all constructed, arranged, and

Patent, isoperated substantially as and for the purpose 1. In a post-marking and canceling-machine, set forth. having cylinders F F, the endless band E T. O. HARGRAVE. driven by gears G D D from shaft b, and guide- Witnesses: boards 00 m, substantially as described. SAML. VANU,

2. The recessed printing-cylinder F, in com- WVM. B. S. GAY. (146) 

